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Letter from Joseph L. Heywood, 23 October 1843

Source Note

Joseph L. Heywood

1 Aug. 1815–16 Oct. 1910. Merchant, postmaster, U.S. marshal, hatter, farmer, lawyer. Born in Grafton, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. Son of Benjamin Heywood and Hannah R. Leland. Moved to Illinois, spring 1838. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois, fall 1839...

View Full Bio
, Letter,
Quincy

Located on high limestone bluffs east of Mississippi River, about forty-five miles south of Nauvoo. Settled 1821. Adams Co. seat, 1825. Incorporated as town, 1834. Received city charter, 1840. Population in 1835 about 800; in 1840 about 2,300; and in 1845...

More Info
, Adams Co., IL, to JS,
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
, Hancock Co., IL, 23 Oct. 1843; handwriting and signature of
Joseph L. Heywood

1 Aug. 1815–16 Oct. 1910. Merchant, postmaster, U.S. marshal, hatter, farmer, lawyer. Born in Grafton, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. Son of Benjamin Heywood and Hannah R. Leland. Moved to Illinois, spring 1838. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois, fall 1839...

View Full Bio
; two pages; JS Collection, CHL. Includes address, enclosure, wafer seal, and dockets. Included enclosure (not extant).
Bifolium measuring 9¾ × 7¾ inches (25 × 20 cm). The bifolium appears to have been manufactured specially for letter writing; the recto of the first leaf is ruled with twenty-six lines printed in blue ink with header space, the verso of the first leaf and the recto of the second are ruled with twenty-eight printed lines with no header space, and the verso of the second leaf was left blank for addressing. The letter was inscribed on the recto and verso of the first leaf; the recto of the second leaf is blank. The document was folded twice in letter style, addressed, and sealed with a red adhesive wafer. There is a hole on the second leaf, probably from when the letter was opened, and wafer residue remains. The bifolium was later refolded for filing. The letter apparently also included two enclosures: a copy of a letter from
John Frierson

1804–18 May 1844. U.S. surveyor, politician. Born in South Carolina. Moved to Muscatine Co., Iowa Territory, 1837. Elected to represent Muscatine, Louisa, and Slaughter counties in first Iowa territorial legislature, 1838–1839. Appointed brigadier general...

View Full Bio
to Franklin H. Elmore (not extant) and a circular promoting
John C. Calhoun

18 Mar. 1782–31 Mar. 1850. Lawyer, politician. Born near Hutchinson’s Mill, Ninety-Sixth District (later Calhoun Mill, Mount Carmel, McCormick Co.), South Carolina. Son of Patrick Calhoun and Martha Caldwell. Graduated from Yale, 1804, in New Haven, New Haven...

View Full Bio
’s presidential campaign, bifolium measuring 9¾ × 7⅞ inches (20 × 25 cm).
1

Jacob Bond I’On et al., Charleston, SC, to “Dear Sir,” 23 Sept. 1843, in JS Office Papers, CHL. Frierson’s letter was later printed in the Nauvoo Neighbor. (John Frierson, Quincy, IL, to Franklin H. Elmore, 12 Oct. 1843, in Nauvoo Neighbor, 5 June 1844, [2]–[3].)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.

Heywood

1 Aug. 1815–16 Oct. 1910. Merchant, postmaster, U.S. marshal, hatter, farmer, lawyer. Born in Grafton, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. Son of Benjamin Heywood and Hannah R. Leland. Moved to Illinois, spring 1838. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois, fall 1839...

View Full Bio
’s letter was docketed by
Willard Richards

24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...

View Full Bio
, who served as JS’s scribe from December 1841 until JS’s death in June 1844 and served as church historian from December 1842 until his own death in March 1854.
2

JS, Journal, 13 Dec. 1841 and 21 Dec. 1842; Orson Spencer, “Death of Our Beloved Brother Willard Richards,” Deseret News (Salt Lake City), 16 Mar. 1854, [2].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Deseret News. Salt Lake City. 1850–.

Thomas Bullock

23 Dec. 1816–10 Feb. 1885. Farmer, excise officer, secretary, clerk. Born in Leek, Staffordshire, England. Son of Thomas Bullock and Mary Hall. Married Henrietta Rushton, 25 June 1838. Moved to Ardee, Co. Louth, Ireland, Nov. 1839; to Isle of Anglesey, Aug...

View Full Bio
, who served as JS’s scribe from 1843 to 1844 and as clerk to the church historian and recorder from 1845 to 1865, docketed the letter a second time.
3

Jessee, “Writing of Joseph Smith’s History,” 456, 458; Woodruff, Journal, 22 Jan. 1865.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Jessee, Dean C. “The Writing of Joseph Smith’s History.” BYU Studies 11 (Summer 1971): 439–473.

Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

The document was listed in an inventory that was produced by the Church Historian’s Office (later Church Historical Department) circa 1904.
4

“Letters to and from the Prophet,” ca. 1904, [3], Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Historian’s Office. Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904. CHL. CR 100 130.

By 1973 the document had been included in the JS Collection at the Church Historical Department (now CHL). The letter’s early dockets, its listing in a circa 1904 inventory, and its later inclusion in the JS Collection indicate continuous institutional custody.
5

See the full bibliographic entry for JS Collection, 1827–1844, in the CHL catalog.


Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Jacob Bond I’On et al., Charleston, SC, to “Dear Sir,” 23 Sept. 1843, in JS Office Papers, CHL. Frierson’s letter was later printed in the Nauvoo Neighbor. (John Frierson, Quincy, IL, to Franklin H. Elmore, 12 Oct. 1843, in Nauvoo Neighbor, 5 June 1844, [2]–[3].)

    Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.

  2. [2]

    JS, Journal, 13 Dec. 1841 and 21 Dec. 1842; Orson Spencer, “Death of Our Beloved Brother Willard Richards,” Deseret News (Salt Lake City), 16 Mar. 1854, [2].

    Deseret News. Salt Lake City. 1850–.

  3. [3]

    Jessee, “Writing of Joseph Smith’s History,” 456, 458; Woodruff, Journal, 22 Jan. 1865.

    Jessee, Dean C. “The Writing of Joseph Smith’s History.” BYU Studies 11 (Summer 1971): 439–473.

    Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

  4. [4]

    “Letters to and from the Prophet,” ca. 1904, [3], Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.

    Historian’s Office. Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904. CHL. CR 100 130.

  5. [5]

    See the full bibliographic entry for JS Collection, 1827–1844, in the CHL catalog.

Historical Introduction

On 23 October 1843,
church

The Book of Mormon related that when Christ set up his church in the Americas, “they which were baptized in the name of Jesus, were called the church of Christ.” The first name used to denote the church JS organized on 6 April 1830 was “the Church of Christ...

View Glossary
member
Joseph L. Heywood

1 Aug. 1815–16 Oct. 1910. Merchant, postmaster, U.S. marshal, hatter, farmer, lawyer. Born in Grafton, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. Son of Benjamin Heywood and Hannah R. Leland. Moved to Illinois, spring 1838. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois, fall 1839...

View Full Bio
wrote a letter from
Quincy

Located on high limestone bluffs east of Mississippi River, about forty-five miles south of Nauvoo. Settled 1821. Adams Co. seat, 1825. Incorporated as town, 1834. Received city charter, 1840. Population in 1835 about 800; in 1840 about 2,300; and in 1845...

More Info
, Illinois, to JS in
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
, Illinois, encouraging him to enlist the aid of
United States

North American constitutional republic. Constitution ratified, 17 Sept. 1787. Population in 1805 about 6,000,000; in 1830 about 13,000,000; and in 1844 about 20,000,000. Louisiana Purchase, 1803, doubled size of U.S. Consisted of seventeen states at time ...

More Info
surveyor Colonel
John Frierson

1804–18 May 1844. U.S. surveyor, politician. Born in South Carolina. Moved to Muscatine Co., Iowa Territory, 1837. Elected to represent Muscatine, Louisa, and Slaughter counties in first Iowa territorial legislature, 1838–1839. Appointed brigadier general...

View Full Bio
, a Quincy resident with political connections in
Washington DC

Created as district for seat of U.S. federal government by act of Congress, 1790, and named Washington DC, 1791. Named in honor of George Washington. Headquarters of executive, legislative, and judicial branches of U.S. government relocated to Washington ...

More Info
, in the Latter-day Saints’ efforts to petition Congress for reparations for their expulsion from
Missouri

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...

More Info
in 1838 and 1839.
1

JS, Journal, 25 Nov. 1843.


Heywood had resided in Quincy, where he worked in the mercantile business, since 1839. In 1842, he was
baptized

An ordinance in which an individual is immersed in water for the remission of sins. The Book of Mormon explained that those with necessary authority were to baptize individuals who had repented of their sins. Baptized individuals also received the gift of...

View Glossary
after hearing JS preach in Nauvoo.
2

“Heywood, Joseph Leland,” in Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, 1:646.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Jenson, Andrew. Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia: A Compilation of Biographical Sketches of Prominent Men and Women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 4 vols. Salt Lake City: Andrew Jenson History Co., 1901–1936.

While in Quincy, Heywood conversed with Frierson about the Saints’ plight, and Frierson proved sympathetic. With this letter to JS, Heywood began to act as a liaison between Frierson and JS. Heywood introduced Frierson, sent political documents, and suggested that JS and the Saints utilize Frierson and his connections to present a new memorial to Congress to gain redress for suffering and property losses in Missouri.
The Saints had sought redress from government officials since 1833, when they were violently forced from their lands in
Jackson County

Settled at Fort Osage, 1808. County created, 16 Feb. 1825; organized 1826. Named after U.S. president Andrew Jackson. Featured fertile lands along Missouri River and was Santa Fe Trail departure point, which attracted immigrants to area. Area of county reduced...

More Info
, Missouri.
3

See, for example, Historical Introduction to Letter, 30 Oct. 1833; and Revelation, 16–17 Dec. 1833 [D&C 101:76–88].


After the Saints experienced more difficulties in that state and while he was imprisoned in March 1839, JS instructed the Saints to collect affidavits of their “suffering and abuses” as well as property losses and submit their case to the “
united states

North American constitutional republic. Constitution ratified, 17 Sept. 1787. Population in 1805 about 6,000,000; in 1830 about 13,000,000; and in 1844 about 20,000,000. Louisiana Purchase, 1803, doubled size of U.S. Consisted of seventeen states at time ...

More Info
Court.”
4

Letter to Edward Partridge and the Church, ca. 22 Mar. 1839; Letter to Emma Smith, 21 Mar. 1839.


The Saints eventually wrote hundreds of affidavits that were presented to the federal government. In June 1839, JS crafted his “Bill of Damages,” claiming $100,000 worth of lost property and other expenses.
5

Bill of Damages, 4 June 1839.


JS and others went to
Washington DC

Created as district for seat of U.S. federal government by act of Congress, 1790, and named Washington DC, 1791. Named in honor of George Washington. Headquarters of executive, legislative, and judicial branches of U.S. government relocated to Washington ...

More Info
in late 1839 to present their case to federal government officials. They were rebuffed by President
Martin Van Buren

5 Dec. 1782–24 July 1862. Lawyer, politician, diplomat, farmer. Born in Kinderhook, Columbia Co., New York. Son of Abraham Van Buren and Maria Hoes Van Alen. Member of Reformed Protestant Dutch Church. Worked as law clerk, 1800, in New York City. Returned...

View Full Bio
, and their first memorial to Congress sat unconsidered in a legislative committee.
6

“Part 2: 8 November 1839–25 January 1840”; “Part 3: 27 January–8 April 1840”; Memorial to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, ca. 30 Oct. 1839–27 Jan. 1840.


In January 1842, Latter-day Saints again petitioned Congress for reparations but were again unsuccessful.
7

Elias Higbee et al., Memorial to Congress, 10 Jan. 1842, photocopy, Material Relating to Mormon Expulsion from Missouri, CHL; compare Edward Partridge, Memorial to U.S. Congress, ca. Jan. 1839, Edward Partridge, Papers, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Material Relating to Mormon Expulsion from Missouri, 1839–1843. Photocopy. CHL. MS 2145.

Edward Partridge, Papers, 1818–1839. CHL. MS 892.

Heywood’s letter suggested it was time to petition again.
Heywood

1 Aug. 1815–16 Oct. 1910. Merchant, postmaster, U.S. marshal, hatter, farmer, lawyer. Born in Grafton, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. Son of Benjamin Heywood and Hannah R. Leland. Moved to Illinois, spring 1838. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois, fall 1839...

View Full Bio
’s 23 October 1843 letter bears no postal markings and was likely hand delivered. Along with this missive, Heywood forwarded a copy of a letter from
Frierson

1804–18 May 1844. U.S. surveyor, politician. Born in South Carolina. Moved to Muscatine Co., Iowa Territory, 1837. Elected to represent Muscatine, Louisa, and Slaughter counties in first Iowa territorial legislature, 1838–1839. Appointed brigadier general...

View Full Bio
to former South Carolina congressman Franklin H. Elmore and a circular supporting
John C. Calhoun

18 Mar. 1782–31 Mar. 1850. Lawyer, politician. Born near Hutchinson’s Mill, Ninety-Sixth District (later Calhoun Mill, Mount Carmel, McCormick Co.), South Carolina. Son of Patrick Calhoun and Martha Caldwell. Graduated from Yale, 1804, in New Haven, New Haven...

View Full Bio
’s presidential campaign.
8

Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1017; Jacob Bond I’On et al., Charleston, SC, to “Dear Sir,” 23 Sept. 1843, in JS Office Papers, CHL. The Elmore letter is not extant, but it was reprinted in the Nauvoo Neighbor. (John Frierson, Quincy, IL, to Franklin H. Elmore, 12 Oct. 1843, in Nauvoo Neighbor, 5 June 1844, [2]–[3].)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–1989: The Continental Congress September 5, 1774, to October 21, 1788, and the Congress of the United States from the First through the One Hundredth Congresses March 4, 1789, to January 3, 1989, Inclusive. Edited by Kathryn Allamong Jacob and Bruce A. Ragsdale. Washington DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1989.

Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.

JS discussed these letters at a meeting with other church leaders in
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
on 2 November before responding to
Heywood

1 Aug. 1815–16 Oct. 1910. Merchant, postmaster, U.S. marshal, hatter, farmer, lawyer. Born in Grafton, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. Son of Benjamin Heywood and Hannah R. Leland. Moved to Illinois, spring 1838. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois, fall 1839...

View Full Bio
that day.
9

The other men present at the meeting were Hyrum Smith, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, John Taylor, and William Clayton. (JS, Journal, 2 Nov. 1843.)


In his reply, JS informed Heywood that the three documents were received and “duly considered.” He also accepted Heywood’s proposition to enlist
Frierson

1804–18 May 1844. U.S. surveyor, politician. Born in South Carolina. Moved to Muscatine Co., Iowa Territory, 1837. Elected to represent Muscatine, Louisa, and Slaughter counties in first Iowa territorial legislature, 1838–1839. Appointed brigadier general...

View Full Bio
’s assistance.
10

Letter to Joseph L. Heywood, 2 Nov. 1843.


In response, Heywood helped arrange Frierson’s visit to Nauvoo in late November 1843.
11

JS, Journal, 25 and 26 Nov. 1843.


Footnotes

  1. [1]

    JS, Journal, 25 Nov. 1843.

  2. [2]

    “Heywood, Joseph Leland,” in Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, 1:646.

    Jenson, Andrew. Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia: A Compilation of Biographical Sketches of Prominent Men and Women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 4 vols. Salt Lake City: Andrew Jenson History Co., 1901–1936.

  3. [3]

    See, for example, Historical Introduction to Letter, 30 Oct. 1833; and Revelation, 16–17 Dec. 1833 [D&C 101:76–88].

  4. [4]

    Letter to Edward Partridge and the Church, ca. 22 Mar. 1839; Letter to Emma Smith, 21 Mar. 1839.

  5. [5]

    Bill of Damages, 4 June 1839.

  6. [6]

    “Part 2: 8 November 1839–25 January 1840”; “Part 3: 27 January–8 April 1840”; Memorial to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, ca. 30 Oct. 1839–27 Jan. 1840.

  7. [7]

    Elias Higbee et al., Memorial to Congress, 10 Jan. 1842, photocopy, Material Relating to Mormon Expulsion from Missouri, CHL; compare Edward Partridge, Memorial to U.S. Congress, ca. Jan. 1839, Edward Partridge, Papers, CHL.

    Material Relating to Mormon Expulsion from Missouri, 1839–1843. Photocopy. CHL. MS 2145.

    Edward Partridge, Papers, 1818–1839. CHL. MS 892.

  8. [8]

    Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1017; Jacob Bond I’On et al., Charleston, SC, to “Dear Sir,” 23 Sept. 1843, in JS Office Papers, CHL. The Elmore letter is not extant, but it was reprinted in the Nauvoo Neighbor. (John Frierson, Quincy, IL, to Franklin H. Elmore, 12 Oct. 1843, in Nauvoo Neighbor, 5 June 1844, [2]–[3].)

    Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–1989: The Continental Congress September 5, 1774, to October 21, 1788, and the Congress of the United States from the First through the One Hundredth Congresses March 4, 1789, to January 3, 1989, Inclusive. Edited by Kathryn Allamong Jacob and Bruce A. Ragsdale. Washington DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1989.

    Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.

  9. [9]

    The other men present at the meeting were Hyrum Smith, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, John Taylor, and William Clayton. (JS, Journal, 2 Nov. 1843.)

  10. [10]

    Letter to Joseph L. Heywood, 2 Nov. 1843.

  11. [11]

    JS, Journal, 25 and 26 Nov. 1843.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Letter from Joseph L. Heywood, 23 October 1843 *History, 1838–1856, volume E-1 [1 July 1843–30 April 1844] “History of Joseph Smith”

Page [2]

reparations. I submit by permission of
Mr F.

1804–18 May 1844. U.S. surveyor, politician. Born in South Carolina. Moved to Muscatine Co., Iowa Territory, 1837. Elected to represent Muscatine, Louisa, and Slaughter counties in first Iowa territorial legislature, 1838–1839. Appointed brigadier general...

View Full Bio
a Copy of a letter He has written to a distinguished citizen of South Carolina.
6

The “distinguished citizen” was Franklin H. Elmore, to whom Frierson wrote from Quincy, Illinois, on 12 October 1843. In that letter, Frierson recognized the difficulty the Saints faced in petitioning Congress for redress. Elmore served the state of South Carolina as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1836 to 1839. (John Frierson, Quincy, IL, to Franklin H. Elmore, 12 Oct. 1843, in Nauvoo Neighbor, 5 June 1844, [3]; Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1017.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.

Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–1989: The Continental Congress September 5, 1774, to October 21, 1788, and the Congress of the United States from the First through the One Hundredth Congresses March 4, 1789, to January 3, 1989, Inclusive. Edited by Kathryn Allamong Jacob and Bruce A. Ragsdale. Washington DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1989.

together with a circular put out Confidentially by the Friends of
Mr [John C.] Calhoun

18 Mar. 1782–31 Mar. 1850. Lawyer, politician. Born near Hutchinson’s Mill, Ninety-Sixth District (later Calhoun Mill, Mount Carmel, McCormick Co.), South Carolina. Son of Patrick Calhoun and Martha Caldwell. Graduated from Yale, 1804, in New Haven, New Haven...

View Full Bio
of
D.C.

Created as district for seat of U.S. federal government by act of Congress, 1790, and named Washington DC, 1791. Named in honor of George Washington. Headquarters of executive, legislative, and judicial branches of U.S. government relocated to Washington ...

More Info
7

This confidential circular, dated 23 September 1843, was written in Charleston, South Carolina. It was signed by a committee of fifteen men who were appointed to elect John C. Calhoun to the United States presidency in the 1844 election. The committee expressed concern about the Syracuse Convention’s recent decision not to elect delegates to the national convention. This committee wanted to ensure that the people retained power to elect their delegates to the national convention and expressly identified Calhoun as a champion of the congressional district system. (Jacob Bond I’On et al., Charleston, SC, to “Dear Sir,” 23 Sept. 1843, in JS Office Papers, CHL.)


whom with my present feelings I should cheerfully support for our next president & whom I have no doubt would be preferred by the bretheren to
Mr [Martin] Van Buren

5 Dec. 1782–24 July 1862. Lawyer, politician, diplomat, farmer. Born in Kinderhook, Columbia Co., New York. Son of Abraham Van Buren and Maria Hoes Van Alen. Member of Reformed Protestant Dutch Church. Worked as law clerk, 1800, in New York City. Returned...

View Full Bio
.
8

The circular promoting Calhoun’s campaign characterized Van Buren as a weak presidential candidate, despite his service as the nation’s president. JS also had a low opinion of Van Buren. When JS met with President Van Buren in 1839 for assistance in securing redress for the Saints’ eviction from the state of Missouri, Van Buren rebuffed JS and responded, “What can I do? I can do nothing for you.” (Jacob Bond I’On et al., Charleston, SC, to “Dear Sir,” 23 Sept. 1843, in JS Office Papers, CHL; Letter to Hyrum Smith and Nauvoo High Council, 5 Dec. 1839.)


If the plan suggested of memoralizing Congress should meet your approbations—Please inform me.
Col Frierson

1804–18 May 1844. U.S. surveyor, politician. Born in South Carolina. Moved to Muscatine Co., Iowa Territory, 1837. Elected to represent Muscatine, Louisa, and Slaughter counties in first Iowa territorial legislature, 1838–1839. Appointed brigadier general...

View Full Bio
promises his aid in such an event & says he would go to
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
& assist in arranging papers relative to such a step. Please accept my assurances of Love & esteem for yourself & family & a Prayer that Wisdom from on high may direct you in your deliberation
I Remain Your Bro in Christ
Jos L. Heywood

1 Aug. 1815–16 Oct. 1910. Merchant, postmaster, U.S. marshal, hatter, farmer, lawyer. Born in Grafton, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. Son of Benjamin Heywood and Hannah R. Leland. Moved to Illinois, spring 1838. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois, fall 1839...

View Full Bio
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Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter from Joseph L. Heywood, 23 October 1843
ID #
1186
Total Pages
4
Print Volume Location
JSP, D13:216–220
Handwriting on This Page
  • Joseph L. Heywood

Footnotes

  1. [6]

    The “distinguished citizen” was Franklin H. Elmore, to whom Frierson wrote from Quincy, Illinois, on 12 October 1843. In that letter, Frierson recognized the difficulty the Saints faced in petitioning Congress for redress. Elmore served the state of South Carolina as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1836 to 1839. (John Frierson, Quincy, IL, to Franklin H. Elmore, 12 Oct. 1843, in Nauvoo Neighbor, 5 June 1844, [3]; Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1017.)

    Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.

    Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–1989: The Continental Congress September 5, 1774, to October 21, 1788, and the Congress of the United States from the First through the One Hundredth Congresses March 4, 1789, to January 3, 1989, Inclusive. Edited by Kathryn Allamong Jacob and Bruce A. Ragsdale. Washington DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1989.

  2. [7]

    This confidential circular, dated 23 September 1843, was written in Charleston, South Carolina. It was signed by a committee of fifteen men who were appointed to elect John C. Calhoun to the United States presidency in the 1844 election. The committee expressed concern about the Syracuse Convention’s recent decision not to elect delegates to the national convention. This committee wanted to ensure that the people retained power to elect their delegates to the national convention and expressly identified Calhoun as a champion of the congressional district system. (Jacob Bond I’On et al., Charleston, SC, to “Dear Sir,” 23 Sept. 1843, in JS Office Papers, CHL.)

  3. [8]

    The circular promoting Calhoun’s campaign characterized Van Buren as a weak presidential candidate, despite his service as the nation’s president. JS also had a low opinion of Van Buren. When JS met with President Van Buren in 1839 for assistance in securing redress for the Saints’ eviction from the state of Missouri, Van Buren rebuffed JS and responded, “What can I do? I can do nothing for you.” (Jacob Bond I’On et al., Charleston, SC, to “Dear Sir,” 23 Sept. 1843, in JS Office Papers, CHL; Letter to Hyrum Smith and Nauvoo High Council, 5 Dec. 1839.)

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